Enchanting release from Em records, capturing Thonghuad Faited’s
work on the sor (see images on the album, it’s a sort of a
two-string Thai fiddle) from the 1970′s. The sound may be familiar
from some of the excellent Sublime Frequency forays into Molam
styles.?? Faited’s sor often conjures a dizzy cross between a
sea shanty and mystic trance music. I truly hope some KFJC DJ’s
who play country music will drop one of the instrumentals into
their sets, as there is a sort of Gaelic reel vibe. The full
band pieces also feature the khaen, which sounds like windy
cities of glass, kind of a heralding announcement. There seems
to also even be some chicka chicka guitar chicken scratching.
The percussion has a distinct clip-clop beat, leading to a
dancing vibe. All tracks are gorgeous, but something about how
Faited’s sor compliments the two female singers on three tracks
here really wins me over. The voice and sor both flutter and
waver in quick glissando, they are so high in pitch, but to
me both feel soothing and never shrieky. On top of it all, the
sonic beauty and grace here is matched by the benevolent gesture
from Em Records to raise funds for the aged and ailing Thonghuad.
Behold the twists of Faited’s sor!